How to Improve Digestion

Most unhealthy people have digestive problems, including nausea, stomach aches, nausea, acid reflux (heartburn), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, etc. While many health programs recommend cleansing or cleanses of the bowels and other organs in the body, these treatments can be very harsh. Liver, kidney and gallbladder cleanses dump too many toxins into the body at one time, that most unhealthy people cannot handle.

There have been cases of people with life threatening conditions caused by such cleanses, requiring emergency room treatment. Also, liver and gall bladder cleanses can release gallstones into the bile ducts that can block and tear them, requiring emergency surgery.

All cleanses are a combination of herbs or ingredients which many unhealthy people cannot handle, not only because it causes too many toxins to be dumped into the system at one time, but also because the ingredients themselves are often too strong, causing adverse reactions.

However, this program contains high “good” fats, including fat soluble nutrients (omega 3, vitamins A, D & E), which are very important for liver and gall bladder health. Over time the diet will normalize the functioning of all organs, including the liver, gall bladder, kidneys, thyroid, adrenals, digestive system, etc. and it may dissolve any stones that are present.

The diet, supplements and other treatments recommended will do a good job of increasing digestion, strengthening the walls of the intestines (mostly with good saturated fats), increasing good motility of the intestines, clearing out the liver, adrenals and gall bladder, increasing kidney function, etc. and will also cleanse and help detoxify the entire body. It also get rids of all heavy metals such as mercury, lead and aluminum, etc.

Therefore cleansing treatments are not recommended for any reason, including liver, kidney, gall bladder or bowel cleanses, except for self-administered enemas — see the Enemas.

Fasting is also not recommended. Even though fasting is intended to give the body a rest and/or to allow it to clear out toxins and wastes, while your body is fasting it is also not getting the nutrients it needs for healing and energy. It is more important to give the body what it needs so it is able to heal itself naturally, which includes cleansing and detoxification. Time between meals is important so body has the time to digest foods and supplements without having to direct its energies towards digesting more foods. That is why snacking is not recommended.

Some people do a type of fasting where they only consume the Bee’s Egg Drink for a few days at a time, but that is not considered “true fasting” and it wouldn’t cause problems because you would be getting plenty of nutrients and energy from the drink.

Stomach Acid Problems

Many people today have digestive problems, which is mainly caused by the stomach producing “too little” stomach acid. We may think our stomachs are “overly acidic” because of heartburn, sour stomach, or overall stomach upset, nausea and pain, when in fact “too little acid” is exactly the same as an “over acidic” stomach. The technical term for low stomach acidity is “hypochlorhydria,” and a stomach that is not producing any acid is called “achlorhydria.” The most common symptoms of low stomach acidity include:

Our stomachs are supposed to be acidic, so it important that it produce high concentrations of hydrochloric acid (HCl). When the stomach produces HCl it also produces bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) which protects the lining of the stomach from being damaged or eaten up by HCl. When the stomach does not produce enough HCl, it also will not produce enough bicarbonate of soda so the stomach can become ulcerated.

When hydrochloric acid is low it causes malnutrition and many digestive problems. HCl mainly digests protein, breaking it down into small molecules, which are further digested in the intestinal tract. Low stomach acid is associated with a higher incidence of gastrointestinal problems like h. pylori bacteria found in stomach ulcers, acid reflux (heartburn), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s Disease, diarrhea, constipation, etc.

How Foods Are Digested

Carbohydrates (carbs) start being digested by enzymes produced in the mouth – carbs are all foods that are not classified as protein or fat, including vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, seeds, sugar, starches, herbs, spices, etc. Some carbs also contain protein and fat, such as grains, nuts, seeds and some vegetables. Some proteins also contain carbs and fats such as eggs.

Hydrochloric acid (HCl), which is stomach acid, mainly digests protein. When a person starts to eat the stomach is stimulated to start producing hydrochloric acid (HCl). Stomach acid gradually increases during a meal. When the stomach acid gets high enough, which normally takes about 20-30 minutes after eating, it neutralizes enzymes from the mouth so the digestion of carbohydrates stops.

Digestive enzymes from the mouth only work on carbs while the mixture is alkaline. Therefore, if HCl supplements are taken too early it stops carb digestion in the stomach too soon. HCl also neutralizes any digestive enzyme supplements, so taking them is a waste. That is why it is important to take HCl supplements 30-45 minutes after eating a meal.

When the mixture of food, water and HCl (called chyme) empties out of the stomach it has to go through a small hole 10 mm, which is slightly larger than the end of a pencil, called the pyloric valve. The mixture squirts through that small hole in spurts. The rate at which foods empty out of the stomach is highly regulated. If the mixture is too solid and doesn’t contain enough fluid it isn’t as able to get through that small hole. That is why drinking enough fluids with meals is also very important.

When the mixture starts squirting through that small hole, if the pancreas detects it contains enough fluids and HCl it is able to do its job. First the mixture must be made alkaline, so the pancreas pours lots of bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) onto the mixture as it is squirting through that small hole. Pancreatic digestive enzymes only work on an alkaline mixture, just like enzymes in the mouth.

Next, the pancreas produces several enzymes which digest carbs, fats and further digests protein, i.e. protease digests protein, amylase digests carbs and lipase digests fats. The small intestine also produces digestive enzymes that only work on an alkaline mixture.

Therefore taking HCl supplements and improving stomach acid production, along with having enough fluids with meals, is very important for proper digestion, whereas taking digestive enzymes is a waste and doesn’t help digestion.

Avoid raw vegetables until digestion improves. All plant cell walls are made of cellulose fibers that the human digestive system is incapable of breaking down. Therefore the cellulose cell walls of plants must be broken down before they are digestible, and in order for nutrients, including minerals, and enzymes to be available – see Why Cooked Foods Are Healthier. Also see Raw Versus Cooked Vegetables & Fruits, of course candida sufferers would not have any fruits, except small amounts of lemons.

Do not cook meats or eggs using high heat, and do not overcook them. Cooking proteins actually pre-digests them, called denaturing. However overheating or overcooking them makes them lose moisture and binds the protein molecules tighter together which makes them harder to digest. Meats can also be pre-digested (denatured), by soaking them in acidic mediums such as lemon or lime juice, tomato juice, apple cider vinegar, etc. Marinating meats is a good way to pre-digest or pre-cook them.

Eat protein and “good” fats with every meal. Protein stimulates stomach acid production, and protein and fats stimulate the gall bladder to dump bile into the small intestines. Good fats also are needed by the liver in order to produce bile.

Always have ocean sea salt with meals since salt is important for proper digestion and it also stimulates stomach acid production. You can add it during cooking or afterward or add it to water you drink during meals.

Drink enough fluids with meals so the mixture in the stomach is able to squirt through the small opening from the stomach into the first part of the small intestines, about 6 ounces.

Chew foods thoroughly to stimulate digestive enzymes in the mouth, and to break up foods into the smallest particles possible for better digestion.

Eat enough foods at each meal that includes a good balance of proteins from meats and eggs, good fats (coconut oil, butter, lard, etc.) and vegetables.

Eat at least 2 complete meals per day, but not more than 3 meals.

Avoid snacking in between meals in order to allow time for your body to digest foods properly.